Melanin, the substance responsible for the darkening of body areas, is formed because of the oxidation of an amino acid by the name tyrosine. Melanogenesis (formation of melanin in the skin) occurs, when the upper layers of skin get exposed to the ultraviolet or UV radiation, for long time periods.
If you are overexposed to sun rays, you might have darker colored hands and feet. The changed skin color has a negative impact on beauty, more so when your face is much brighter than the rest of the areas of the body. There are some easy to procure, and employ, home remedies that can help you prevent the embarrassment. These are natural ways of color improvement that do not have any side effect.
Here Are 8 Home Remedies To Whiten Darkened hands And Feet:
1. Aloe Vera
The anti-bacterial, plant, Aloe Vera also has a number of antioxidants that whiten the skin by removing the free-radicals, and other undesired substances.[1] To treat hyperpigmentation of melanin, and to make hands and feet glow, extract some gel from a freshly-cut Aloe Vera plant. Rub the gel on the tanned and darkened areas for around 5 minutes. Later, rinse with clean water. You can follow the remedy 2 times every day, until you have a better skin texture and color.
2. Yogurt
Yogurt has the acid by the name Lactic Acid that has a mild bleaching power, and can effectively control discoloration. When mixed with lemon juice, it can also reduce the age spots and blotches. Yogurt has always been a source of some key minerals and vitamins, which help the skin remain healthy, soft, and glowing. To treat your darkened skin, apply plain yogurt on the tanned or darkened areas of the hands and feet. Leave the application for around 15 minutes, and then wash using plain water. You can make the remedy 3 times everyday day, for a more balanced skin texture and composition.
3. Lemons
Lemon has acids that act as a natural bleaching agent. Lemon juice is also rich in Vitamin C, which exfoliates your skin and removes the dead skin cells.[3] The application also provides the skin with new and healthy cells. To treat the dark hands and feet using lemon juice, cut a lemon in half, and sprinkle some sugar on one half portion of it. Scrub your skin with this half, so that the dead cells are removed. Leave the application for around 10 minutes, and then wash using clean water. You can make the remedy once every day. Remember not to go out in the sun immediately after the application, as if any lemon juice remains in the hands/feet, there will be an adverse skin reaction.
4. Cucumber
Cucumber juice contains a substance that is effective in lightening the skin. It also has Vitamin A that controls the production of melanin. The juice of the vegetable (technically a fruit, though!) is also a mild bleaching agent, just what your skin needs![4] To treat skin discoloration, cut a cucumber horizontally into a few even slices. Rub the slices, one by one, gently, on the darkened skin areas, for around 5 minutes. Wait for 15 minutes, and then wash the areas using water. You can follow this remedy 3 times every day.
5. Orange Peel
Just like the fruit Orange, the peel of it is also rich in Vitamin C. The Vitamin can treat the hyperpigmentation, and can restore the original skin colour. Orange peel also has some amount of citric acid that has a mild exfoliating effect. In order to get rid of dark colored body areas, make the powder of the peel by first drying and then crushing it.[5] Next, obtain 2 spoons of the peel powder, and add some milk and honey to it, so that you get an even paste. Apply the newly formed paste on the darkened hands and feet. Leave for around 20 minutes, and then scrub the paste off. You can use a wet towel, or even your own wet fingers, for the purpose.
6. Turmeric
Turmeric, the easy to obtain spice, has a compound by the name Curcumin, which is antioxidant in nature. Curcumin lowers melanin production in the skin, and treats the darkened areas.[6] To treat the discolored hands and feet, mix 2 spoons of raw turmeric powder with cold milk, so that you get an even paste. Now apply the paste on the darker skin areas. Let the paste sit for a period of 10 minutes, and then wash using water. You can follow the remedy 3 times every week, until you are satisfied with the results.
7. Tomatoes
Lycopene, a substance (antioxidant) found in tomatoes, prevents cancer. Lycopene adds strength and glow to the skin, and restores its natural colour.[7] For treating your skin’s darkened areas, rub a freshly cut piece of tomato on the discolored hands/feet for around 3 minutes, gently. Wait for 10 minutes, so that the juice dries. Later wash off using clean water. Make the remedy every day, until your skin shows ample amounts of improvement.
8. Sandalwood
Santalol, a substance found in Sandalwood is used in soaps evens out the skin tone. The wood’s powder also has an essential oil that removes the undesired microbes from the skin.[8] To treat hyper pigmentation, mix juice of half, moderately sized lemon, with 1 spoon of sandalwood powder. Add a bit of rose water so that the paste becomes readily applicable. Now apply the paste on all the dark skin areas of the hands and feet. Rinse off with cold water, after 20 minutes.
Alternatively, you can also mix 1 spoon sandalwood powder, with 1 spoon of almond powder. Make a paste by adding milk or water. Apply the mixture on the darkened areas of the hands and feet. Let the paste dry completely, and then rinse the areas by using lukewarm (sufficiently cool) water.